Technology is Changing the Workplace
In this digital age that we live in, technology has been the one driving force with innovating multiple industries, products and the way that we go about our daily lives. Smartphone apps like Uber and Lyft allow people to hail cabs with the tap of a button, while products like smartwatches let people monitor their health and wellness.
This rampant growth in technology is bleeding into the workplace. With new ways to communicate, accomplish tasks and manage projects, it’s hard to imagine a life without the aid of technology.
Workplace Communication
Changes in how we communicate with one another might be the biggest workplace transformation in recent memory. Apps like Slack and Skype for Business allow a free flowing stream of communication between not only individuals, but entire departments and teams.
With an application like Slack, an Interior Design department can create multiple channels (channels = chat rooms) for each project that they are currently assigned to. Within these channels, individuals can then organize and document workplace communication to that specific project, making it easy to filter and sort out information when needed. These channels also allow users to store files such as pdfs, jpegs and a multitude of other file types so they have a one stop shop for quickly accessing a project document.
“Technology is driving workplace change faster than ever before. The digital and physical spaces are intertwined and should be aligned. Technologies like digital signage, room scheduling, video conferencing, sensing, wireless power and cloud-based tools are just a few ways to bridge your digital and physical spaces.”
Technology changing the workplace is not necessarily a harm to our lifestyles as it allows for employees to work remotely, whether by smartphone, tablet or laptop. This is great for a sales team that frequently travels or a team that is stationed in a satellite office.
“Social connectivity and status is very important to Millenials and even more so for iGen. As the next generation begins to join the work place, a lot of these tools, and apps will come with. They are in search of better and faster ways to accomplish goals and will utilize any tech platform available.”
Project Collaboration Tools
With multiple industries being drowned in an endless amount of projects with fast approaching deadlines, managing all assets can quickly become a hassle and a nuisance.
With the help of project collaboration tools, like the ever popular Bluescape (which we use internally), teams can seamlessly collaborate on the task at hand, and they don’t even need to be in the same office to do so. Most project collaboration tools allow users to be off-site, or remote, to join in on a session.
” Technology is making communication a lot easier by having many different platforms to communicate on. Technology that has things like visual signage is also important because you can really personalize your clients experience.”
Embracing a Digital Culture
Work culture is one of the hottest buzz words in today’s working environment, but when most organizations think about work culture and the transformation that goes with it, they often leave out technology changing the workplace.
In order to accomplish a digital culture however, it has to start at the very core of your organization, your people. Your employees are your most valuable assets, and when employees embrace and believe in the digital technology’s that are put in place, then the digital culture within an organization will begin to flourish.
